Does New York “make” Gossip Girl?
So much has been written about Gossip Girl’s location in Manhattan as being essential to the story line. In that regard, it’s very similar to Sex and the City where Sarah Jessica Parker referred to New York as “the fifth lady” in the cast.
It is most decidedly not like shows such as Dawson’s Creek, which happened to be filmed in my hometown of Wilmington, NC, but wasn’t actually set there - and could have taken place anywhere.
Since Gossip Girl is about to hit the UK - and that’s where I am presently - I wondered how much the location would matter here. Would the New York City location alienate viewers? Or will they care less? How important is location to the show?
So, I pose the question to you: If Gossip Girl took place in your hometown, what would be different?
Tags: Gossip Girl, New York, Sex and the CityRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Gossip Girl Books
6 opinions for Does New York “make” Gossip Girl?
Heather
Mar 10, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I don’t think viewers in the UK would care that Gossip Girl is located in New York City. I wouldn’t mind watching a show that’s located in London. Actually, I think that would be interesting. I think that the city does play a big role, because New York is so fast paced and there’s so much to do there that it can’t get boring.
The closest city to where I live in Philadelphia, and I think that it would be different than New York. They’re both big cities, but there’s no real fancy, rich, glamorous part of Philly, unlike the Upper East Side… New York seems bigger and faster. I guess it would be more similar than different.
Bella
Mar 10, 2008 at 5:25 pm
You’re in the UK? Wow, so am I!
Well, anyways, I think that the location of New York is SO important to the show (and even more in the books). In my opinion, the show will attract even more viewers in the UK, than if it was in another city in the US, since NY is so ‘in’ right now.
Sammie
Mar 11, 2008 at 5:44 am
Well i live in the UK and i have to say that this type of show just doesnt have the same appeal if it was filmed here. The reason i watch these shows based in New York is cuz it has so much added glamour and it is much more interesting than the UK. Maybe i’m just saying this because i live here. Don’t get me wrong because i love watching british films that are filmed over here and have british actors in them. But there is just something about New York City. You can’t really explain it but it is something amazing.
Kelly
Mar 13, 2008 at 8:58 am
Heather - how can you say there’s no glam in Philly? I live in Philly (currently on holiday in the UK) and while I agree that it doesn’t have the cachet of NYC, it still has amazing locations!
Heather
Mar 14, 2008 at 2:49 pm
True, it does have some amazing places, and I hate how some people judge it as dirty and dangerous before they even go there, but I’m just saying that New York City is famous for the Upper East Side, like 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue. But no one really knows about the rich sections of Philly. Like, Chestnut Hill or Rittenhouse Square. It’s just not as well known. And the Upper East Side does seem a bit more glamorous, to me at least. But I love Philadelphia :)
Claire
Mar 19, 2008 at 7:05 am
I think something set in London would be totally different. What’s ‘cool’ in the UK is far less glossy and way more ‘underground’/'counterculture’ - look at the London it-girls, the Geldolf sisters etc. - they go to scuzzy rock clubs, extravagent electro nights etc. Things like Boombox epitomise London style - it’s much more DIY, creative, avant-guard and far less commercial than NYC, as any follower of the fashion weeks will know!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: